Trees are very important to our community. They make it more beautiful. They remove harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide from our air. They replenish it with oxygen. One large tree furnishes 24 hours of oxygen for four people. They furnish shade, stabilize the soil, reduce erosion and smog and enhance the community's respiration health.

Many homes are set high on hills. Trees planted near them could jeopardize views. We have diverse opinions on those views that have unpleasantly divided Seven Oaks. What is more important, a good relationship with a neighbor or a view?

I would not want all trees in Seven Oaks cut to the height of the homes. If trees on my property, subject to the rules, were affecting a view, I would maintain them according to the

CC&Rs and keep a good relationship with my neighbors.

After I came to Seven Oaks in 1972, I planted living Christmas trees. There were no tree-height restrictions at that time. In July 1981, tree-height restrictions were added to our CC&Rs. These are the exceptions. Any trees planted prior to that time are not subject to the tree height rules. That is fair enough. But they still must be maintained.

Trees affecting the views of a resident should be addressed. If the trees are not bothering anyone, they should be maintained, but left to live and enhance the beauty and health of our community.

Karen Williams Berardo

Rancho Bernardo

Vaus’ ‘machine’ victorious

Your Nov. 8 editorial assessment of the local election stated that Poway voters appear to be very satisfied with the way Poway is being run. I disagree.

Unfortunately, many Powegians were uninformed. In the short-term race, 50 percent of the voters voted against appointed Councilmember Caylin Frank. Your front-page story in August was more of a paid advertisement for Frank. No other candidate got anywhere near that kind of coverage. Money donated by special interest groups, big developers like Mr. McNamara (StoneRidge project) and the Republican Party played a huge role in helping Mayor Steve Vaus and Frank win.

A city election shouldn't be a political party issue. Just before the election several flyers mailed out were completely shameful. One had Frank on the front, urging folks to vote for her, and Photoshopped pictures of challenger Torrey Powers on the back, questioning who she really is. This had false and misleading information about Ms. Powers. Another flyer advertised The Outpost and how great it was going to be, thanking the current council for supporting this controversial center on Poway Road. These flyers, along with one touting Vaus' laurels, all had the same mailing permit number. What a coincidence!

So yes, the Vaus machine succeeded this time. But, there are plenty of people in Poway who are sick and tired of the way this city is run. Come to a City Council meeting and see for yourselves how our mayor and some councilmen treat the citizens who have comments or questions during public oral.

Citizens of Poway, please do your homework before the next election and do not let the council make appointments, and other major decisions that we should all have a voice in.